Program guide system for recording television programs

ABSTRACT

An interactive program guide system is provided. The system facilitates recording of programs selected from the program guide. The system handles the recording and viewing of pay programs, parentally-controlled programs, consecutive programs on different television channels, and programs with and without copy protection. Programs may be recorded using combination television videocassette recorder (TV/VCR) units.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of pending prior patent applicationSer. No. 10/627,426, filed Jul. 24, 2003, which is a continuation ofprior application Ser. No. 10/202,280, filed Jul. 22, 2002, now U.S.Pat. No. 6,748,596, which is a continuation of patent application Ser.No. 09/654,856, filed Sep. 5, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,473,559, whichis a divisional of patent application Ser. No. 08/924,239, filed Sep. 5,1997, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,141,488. All of these prior patentapplications are hereby incorporated by reference herein in theirentireties.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to recording television programs, and moreparticularly, to systems for recording television programs selected froman interactive television program guide.

Cable, satellite, and broadcast television systems provide viewers witha large number of television channels. Viewers have traditionallyconsulted printed television program schedules to determine the programsbeing broadcast at a particular time. More recently, interactiveelectronic television program guides have been developed that allowtelevision program information to be displayed on a viewer's television.

Interactive program guides allow users to access television programlistings in different display formats. For example, a user may desire toview a grid of program listings organized in a channel-ordered list.Alternatively, the user may desire to view program listings organized bytime, by theme (movies, sports, etc.), or by title (i.e., alphabeticallyordered).

A user may select a program for viewing or recording from the programguide. For example, the user may place a highlight region on top of adesired program listing and press a “record” button on a remote control.Pay programs may be ordered by placing the highlight region on a payprogram listing and pressing an “order” button. Some program guidesallow parents to block certain television programs based on criteriasuch as ratings information.

There are sometimes difficulties associated with using these programguide features. For example, previously known interactive program guidesystems have generated infrared commands at the scheduled broadcast timeof a program selected for recording that instruct a videocassetterecorder to turn on prior to recording the selected program. Althoughsuch an approach is satisfactory for operating many standardvideocassette recorders, it is incompatible with combined TV/VCR units,because the television and videocassette recorder portions of combinedTV/VCR units typically share a common power circuit. The commands issuedto turn on the videocassette recorder prior to recording generally turnoff TV/VCR units entirely if the user is using the television portion ofthe TV/VCR at the scheduled time for recording. If the TV/VCR is turnedoff in this way, the TV/VCR will not record the program selected forrecording. Moreover, turning off the TV/VCR unit while the viewer iswatching television is annoying to the user.

Another difficulty associated with previous program guide systemsrelates to recording consecutive programs on different channels.Previously known program guide systems have recorded short buffersegments just before and after the scheduled broadcast time of eachselected program. For example, a one-minute buffer segment may berecorded before a program is scheduled to begin and a three-minutebuffer segment may be recorded following the scheduled completion of theprogram. Recording such buffer segments ensures that the program isrecorded in its entirety even if there is a slight discrepancy betweenthe set-top box clock and the broadcast time of the program. However, ifthe two consecutive programs are recorded on different channels, thebeginning of the second program will generally be lost because thesystem will not change to the proper channel for the second programuntil the trailing buffer segment for the first program has ended.

Another difficulty associated with previously known program guidesystems relates to recording parentally-controlled programs. Parentalcontrol allows parents to lock certain programs or groups of programsbased on blocking criteria such as a title, channel, ratingsinformation, content, etc. When a program is locked, the parent createsa parental control personal identification number (PIN). When it is timefor the locked program to be broadcast, the system asks the parent toenter the parental control PIN. The system blocks the display of thelocked program unless the correct parental control PIN is provided.However, if the system is attempting to display a given program becausethat program was selected for recording from the program guide, the usermay not be present when the system asks the user to enter the PIN. As aresult, the selected program will not be unlocked prior to recording.What is needed is a way in which to allow locked programs to be recordedwithout requiring that the user be present when the program is recorded.

Previously known program guide systems have also allowed programs to beselected for recording without checking to see if such programs are payprograms. If the user of such a system fails to purchase the programprior to recording, the program will not be properly descrambled duringrecording.

Another difficulty associated with previously known program guidesystems relates to recording copy-protected programs. Such systems allowusers to select copy-protected programs for recording without warningthe users that the selected programs are copy protected and thereforenot be usable if recorded.

Another difficulty associated with previously known program guidesystems relates to recording and viewing pay programs that are offeredat a higher price without copy protection than when offered with copyprotection. In such systems it has generally been difficult for the userto coordinate the purchase process, the selection of whether the programwill be copy protected, and the scheduling of recording and viewing.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide aninteractive television program guide with improved program recording andviewing capabilities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This and other objects of the invention are accomplished in accordancewith the principles of the present invention by providing an interactiveprogram guide system in which programs may be selected for recordingfrom the program guide. The program guide may be implemented using aset-top box or other suitable equipment. Programs are recorded using avideocassette recorder or other suitable video recording device. At thescheduled broadcast time of the program selected for recording, theprogram guide system tunes the set-top box to the television channel ofthe selected program and directs the videocassette recorder to beginrecording the program.

The system is compatible with combination television videocassetterecorder (TV/VCR) units. If recording is to be performed using a TV/VCR,the system displays a message informing the user when recording is aboutto begin. The message asks the user whether the user desires to continuewith the recording of the selected program. If the user indicates adesire not to continue recording, recording is cancelled. If the userindicates a desire to continue with recording, the system tunes to theappropriate channel and directs the videocassette recorder portion ofthe TV/VCR to begin recording. If the user does not respond, it isassumed that the TV/VCR is off, so the system transmits a suitablecommand to turn on the TV/VCR before directing the videocassetterecorder portion of the TV/VCR to begin recording.

Consecutive programs on different channels can be recorded withoutlosing any portion of either program by eliminating some of the buffersegments recorded with previously known systems.

Locked programs may be recorded using several techniques. One techniquefor handling locked programs involves determining whether a programselected from a program guide has previously been locked. If theselected program has been locked, the system requests that a parententer a parental control personal identification number (PIN). Only ifthe PIN is correct is the selected program unlocked and recorded at thescheduled broadcast time of the selected program.

Another technique for handling locked programs involves displaying amessage that informs a user whenever a program previously selected forrecording becomes locked. The message provides the user with anopportunity to decide whether to cancel or to retain the recordingselection. If the recording selection is retained, the system unlocksthe selected program and records the selected program at the scheduledbroadcast time for the program.

Another technique for handling locked programs involves determiningwhether a parental control PIN has been created with the system whenevera program is selected for recording from the program guide. If a PIN hasbeen created, the PIN must be entered before the program will berecorded successfully.

The system allows pay programs to be recorded by determining whetherprograms selected for recording from the program guide are pay programswhen they are selected. If a selected program is a pay program, thesystem asks the user to purchase the program (if the user has notalready purchased the program). If the program is purchased, the systemdescrambles and records the selected program at the scheduled broadcasttime of the program.

The system also handles copy protected programs. With one arrangement,the system determines whether a program selected for recording is copyprotected. If the program is not copy protected, the system records theprogram at the scheduled broadcast time of the program. If the programis copy protected, the system displays a message informing the user thatthe selected program may not be recorded.

With another arrangement, the system allows the user to select a payprogram for recording or for viewing. If the program is selected forrecording, the system offers the program at a price suitable for aprogram without copy protection. At the scheduled broadcast time of theprogram, the system provides the program to the videocassette recorderwithout copy protection and directs the videocassette recorder to recordthe selected program. If the program is selected for viewing, the systemoffers the program at a price suitable for a program with copyprotection. At the scheduled broadcast time the system provides theprogram for viewing with copy protection.

Further features of the invention, its nature and various advantageswill be more apparent from the accompanying drawings and the followingdetailed description of the preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a system in accordance with thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an illustrative program guidedisplay screen in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of illustrative steps involved in recordingtelevision programs using a combination TV/VCR unit in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing how the recording schemes used inpreviously known program guide systems could result in the loss of aportion of a desired program during recording.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing how a program guide system inaccordance with the present invention eliminates the program lossexperienced with the approach shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6a is a flow chart of illustrative steps involved in definingblocking criteria and creating a parental control personalidentification number (PIN) in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6b is a flow chart of illustrative steps involved in blocking theviewing of a television program with parental controls in accordancewith the present invention.

FIGS. 7a, 7b, and 7c are flow charts of illustrative approaches forrecording a television program locked with parental controls inaccordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of illustrative steps involved in recording a payprogram in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of illustrative steps involved in recording acopy-protected program in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flow chart of illustrative steps involved in recording apay program without copy protection or viewing a pay program with copyprotection in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An illustrative system 20 that supports an interactive televisionprogram guide in accordance with the present invention is shown inFIG. 1. Main facility 22 provides data from program guide database 24 totelevision distribution facility 26 via communications link 28. Link 28may be a satellite link, a telephone network link, a cable or fiberoptic link, a microwave link, a combination such links, or any othersuitable communications path. Television distribution facility 26 may bea cable system headend, a broadcast distribution facility, a satellitetelevision distribution facility, or other suitable distributionfacility.

The data transmitted by main facility 22 to television distributionfacility 26 includes television program guide data such as programtimes, channels, titles, ratings, descriptions and other programlistings information, and pay program pricing information, copyprotection information, etc. If desired, some data may be provided usingdata sources at facilities other than main facility 22.

Television distribution facility 26 distributes the program guide datato multiple users via communications paths 30. Program guide data may bedistributed periodically (e.g., once each week). Each user has usertelevision equipment 32 for displaying television program listings andproviding other interactive television program guide features. Manyfeatures of the interactive television program guide are provided byexecuting instructions with a microprocessor or similar controlcircuitry within user equipment 32. Communications paths 30 preferablyhave sufficient bandwidth to allow television distribution facility 26to distribute television programming and other video information to userequipment 32 in addition to program guide data. If desired, programguide data may be distributed by a distribution facility that isseparate from television distribution facility 26 using communicationspaths that are separate from communications paths 30.

Certain program guide functions may require user equipment 32 totransmit data to distribution facility 26 over communications paths 30.If desired, such return data may be transmitted over separatecommunications paths (not shown).

User equipment 32 preferably contains a set-top box 34 or other suitableequipment with which an interactive program guide is implemented.Set-top box 34 contains control circuitry 36, which is preferablymicroprocessor-based circuitry for executing instructions to control theoperation of the interactive program guide. Set-top box 34 also hastuner, communications, and display circuitry 38.

Circuitry 38 contains communications circuitry for extracting programdata from video and data signals provided to set-top box 34 overcommunications link 30. This extracted program data is provided tocontrol circuitry 36 via path 40. The communications circuitry incircuitry 38 allows control circuitry 36 to transmit signals totelevision distribution facility 26.

Circuitry 38 also contains display circuitry that allows a program gridand other interactive program guide information generated by controlcircuitry 36 to be displayed on a television such as television 44.

Circuitry 38 contains tuner circuitry for selecting a desired televisionchannel from among the television signals provide to set-top box 34 viacommunications path 30. The signal for the television channel isprovided to videocassette recorder 42 and television 44 via path 46.Videocassette recorder 42 and television 44 which may be provided in theform of a separate television (TV) and videocassette recorder (VCR) (notshown) or as a single integrated TV/VCR unit 48 powered by a commonpower circuit 50, as shown in FIG. 1.

Another function of circuitry 38 is to block parentally-locked programs(e.g., by disrupting the audio and video signals of such lockedprograms). Circuitry 38 may also be used to enable or disable viewing ofpay programs depending on whether such programs have been purchase bythe viewer. Typically, authorization for the descrambling of scrambledpay programs is provided to set-top box 34 from television distributionfacility 26 after a program purchase request transmitted to televisiondistribution facility 26 by set-top box 34 has been processed. Ifdesired, circuitry 38 may have the capability to handle copy-protectedprograms, so that, for example, circuitry 38 may remove copy protectionfrom a given program.

During normal television viewing, the user tunes set-top box 34 to adesired television channel. The signal for that television channel isthen provided on path 46 either as a radio-frequency (RF) signal on a ispredefined channel (e.g., channel 3 or 4) or as a demodulated videosignal. The video signal on path 46 is received by TV/VCR 48, so thatthe user may record programs. Program recording and other features maybe controlled by the interactive program guide on set-top box 34 usinginfrared transmitter 52 to provide commands to infrared receiver 54 inTV/VCR 48. Infrared receiver 54 also accepts commands from remotecontrol 56. Remote control 56 may be used to control set-top box 34 bytransmitting commands to infrared receiver 58. If videocassette recorder42 and television 44 are provided as separate units, each unit may haveits own infrared receiver. Commands from infrared transmitter 52 used todirect the functions of videocassette recorder 42 may then be provideddirectly to the infrared receiver of videocassette recorder 42.

Remote control 56 may have cursor keys, an “enter,” “select,” or “ok”button, a “guide” button, a “record” button, an “order” button, a “lock”button and various other control buttons. When the user presses the“guide” button, set-top box 34 invokes the interactive program guide anddisplays an appropriate screen of program listings on television 44.

A typical program guide display is a grid of television program listingssuch as grid 60 of FIG. 2. Each row of grid 60 contains program listingsinformation for a different television channel. Columns of grid 60 areassociated with different scheduled broadcast times for the programs(e.g., 9:00 PM, 9:30 PM, and 10:00 PM). The program listings format ofgrid 60 is illustrative only. Any other suitable type of programlistings display format may be used. Moreover, grid 60 is only onedisplay screen of many display screens that are generally presented tothe user during use of the program guide. Various menus and programlistings screens are generated to provide program guide features relatedto setting up the program guide system, searching or sorting programlistings, viewing information for selected programs, handling thepurchase of pay programming, informing the viewer of copy protection,prompting the viewer for parental-control information, etc.

In a program listings grid such as grid 60 of FIG. 2, a highlight regionsuch as highlight region 62 may be used to define the current positionof the user in the grid. The user positions highlight region 62 usingthe cursors on remote control 56. If highlight region 62 is positionedon a program that the user desires to record, the user can select thatprogram for recording by pressing the “record” button. If highlightregion 62 is positioned on a pay program that the user desires to order,the user can order the program by pressing the “order” button. The usercan press the “lock” button to set parental controls (e.g., to prevent achild from viewing inappropriate material). The “enter” button may beused in conjunction with the cursor keys to navigate through programguide menus and to respond to various queries from the program guide. Ifdesired, the functions of the dedicated “enter,” “guide,” “record,”“order,” and “lock” buttons and various other control buttons on remotecontrol 56 may be provided in the form of suitable menu options that theuser may select using the cursor keys and a button like the “select” or“enter” button. In addition, other dedicated buttons may be provided onremote control 56 if desired.

One aspect of the present invention relates to recording televisionprograms selected from the interactive program guide using single unitTV/VCRs. Combined TV/VCR units are incompatible with previously knownprogram guide systems, because the VCR “on” commands that were typicallytransmitted by such systems just prior to recording a selected programcaused combined TV/VCRs that were on because the user was watching TV tobe turned off.

Illustrative steps involved in using the interactive program guidesystem of the present invention to record programs on TV/VCR units suchas TV/VCR 48 are shown in FIG. 3. At step 64, a message is displayed onthe user's television that provides the user with an opportunity toindicate whether the videocassette recorder being used is a stand-aloneunit or is part of a combined TV/VCR unit. After the user indicates thata combined TV/VCR unit is being used, the user is provided with anopportunity to enter the manufacturer and model of the TV/VCR unit atstep 66. Steps 64 and 66 may be performed during the set-up proceduresfor the interactive program guide system.

At step 68, the user is provided with an opportunity to select a programfor recording from the program guide. For example, the user may positionhighlight region 62 (FIG. 2) on top of a desired program entry inprogram listings grid 60 (FIG. 2) and press the “record” button onremote control 56 (FIG. 1). Just before the scheduled broadcast time ofthe selected program, a message is displayed on television 44 (FIG. 1)that informs the user that recording is about to begin (step 70). Themessage asks whether the user desires to continue with the recording ofthe selected television program. If the user indicates a desire todiscontinue the recording of the program in response to the message ofstep 70, the recording of the program is cancelled at step 72. If theuser indicates a desire to continue with the recording of the program inresponse to the message of step 70, the recording of the selectedprogram is performed at step 74. Program recording at step 74 involvesusing control circuitry 36 to direct circuitry 38 to tune to theappropriate channel for recording the selected program and to directvideocassette recorder 42 of TV/VCR unit 48 to begin recording bytransmitting a “record” command to infrared receiver 54 of TV/VCR 48with infrared transmitter 52. When the selected program is over,recording may be terminated by transmitting a “stop” command tovideocassette recorder 42.

If the user does not respond to the message of step 70, it is assumedthat the user is not present and that the TV/VCR is therefore off.Accordingly, at step 76, control circuitry 36 directs circuitry 38 totune to the appropriate channel for recording the selected program,directs videocassette recorder 42 of TV/VCR unit 48 to turn on bytransmitting a “turn on” command to infrared receiver 54 of TV/VCR 48with infrared transmitter 52, and directs videocassette recorder 42 ofTV/VCR unit 48 to begin recording by transmitting a “record” command toinfrared receiver 54 of TV/VCR 48 with infrared transmitter 52. When theselected program is over, recording may be terminated by transmitting“stop” and “off” commands to TV/VCR unit 48.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to recording consecutiveprograms on different channels. Previously known program guide systemshave recorded short buffer segments just before and after the scheduledbroadcast time of each recorded program. For example, as shown in FIG.4, a one-minute buffer segment 80 is typically recorded before program78 is scheduled to begin at 3:00 and a three-minute buffer segment 82 isrecorded following the scheduled completion of program 78 at 4:00.Recording buffer segments 80 and 82 in addition to program 78 ensuresthat program 78 is recorded in its entirety even if there is a slighterror in the set-top box clock. However, if a second program 84 isselected for consecutive recording on a different channel (e.g., channel5 instead of channel 4), the beginning of second program 84 (e.g., from4:00 to 4:03) will be lost because the system will not change to theproper channel for program 84 until the recording of buffer segment 82has been completed.

As shown in FIG. 5, the interactive program guide system of the presentinvention eliminates the trailing buffer of first program 86 whenever asecond program 88 is selected for back-to-back recording on a differentchannel (e.g., channel 5 rather than channel 4). The other buffersegments, such as leading buffer segment 90 and trailing buffer segment92, are preferably retained. If another program is selected forrecording immediately following program 88, trailing buffer segment 92may be eliminated. If desired, all buffer segments may be eliminated.Buffer segment lengths other than the illustrative one-minute leadingand three-minute trailing buffer segment lengths shown in FIG. 5 mayalso be used.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to recording programsthat may have been locked by a parent to prevent viewing by a child. Asshown in FIG. 6a , the interactive program guide system of the presentinvention allows a parent to lock certain programs at step 93. Inparticular, the system allows the parent to define blocking criteria atstep 94 to selectively lock certain programs (i.e., programs withpossibly inappropriate content for children). Step 94 may be performedduring a set-up procedure or whenever desired. Programs with specifictitles may be blocked. Blocking criteria may also be based on ratings,channel, time period, content (e.g., sex or violence), etc. Programguide data such as titles, ratings, channels, times, content, etc. isprovided to set-top box 34 from program database 24 of main facility 22so that the system can determine which programs should be blocked basedon the blocking criteria. Following (or before) entry of the blockingcriteria at step 94, the system allows the parent to create a parentalcontrol personal identification number (PIN) at step 96.

When the parent wishes to view a program that has been locked, theparent tunes to the desired channel at step 98 of FIG. 6b . The systemblocks the audio and video of the locked program until the parent entersthe parental control PIN. A child without the PIN cannot view the lockedprogram.

Various techniques may be used by the system to handle the recording oflocked programs. One approach is shown in FIG. 7a . At step 102, thesystem allows the user to select a program for recording from theprogram guide (e.g., by highlighting the desired program and pressingthe “record” button on remote control 56). At step 104, the systemdetermines whether the selected program has been locked. If the selectedprogram has not been locked, the program is recorded at the scheduledbroadcast time at step 106 (e.g., by tuning to the desired channel withcircuitry 38 and activating videocassette recorder 42 at the appropriatetime.) If the selected program has been locked, the system displays amessage at step 108 that asks the user to provide the parental controlPIN created at step 96 of FIG. 6a . If a correct PIN is not provided,the program is not recorded (step 110). If the correct PIN is providedat step 108, the system unlocks the selected program and records theunlocked program at step 112.

Another approach is shown in FIG. 7b . At step 114, the system allowsthe user to select a program for recording from the program guide.Later, but before the scheduled broadcast time for the selected program,the user may lock the selected program at step 116. The locking of theselected program at step 116 may be deliberate or inadvertent (e.g.,when a user defines blocking criteria at step 94 of FIG. 6a that cause anumber of programs including the selected program to become locked).Regardless of whether the locking of the selected program is deliberateor inadvertent, the system detects that the selected program has becomelocked and displays a corresponding message at step 118. The messageinforms the user that a program previously selected for recording is nowlocked. The message also asks the user whether the user desires tocancel the recording of the selected program or whether the recordingselection should be retained. If the user indicates that the recordingselection should be cancelled, the selected program is not recorded bythe system (step 120). If the user indicates that the recordingselection should be retained, the system unlocks the selected programand records the selected program at the scheduled broadcast time at step122.

Another approach is shown in FIG. 7c . At step 124, the system allowsthe user to select a program for recording from the program guide. Atstep 126, the system determines whether a parental control PIN has beencreated (i.e., at step 96 of FIG. 6a ). If no parental control PIN hasbeen created, no programs are locked, so the system may record theselected program at the scheduled broadcast time at step 128. If aparental control PIN has been created, this indicates that the parent isinterested in controlling which programs are viewed by the child.Accordingly, at step 130, the system asks the user to input the parentalcontrol PIN. If the PIN is incorrect, the recording of the selectedprogram may either be prevented entirely or may be allowed to proceedbut without unlocking the program (step 132). If the correct parentalcontrol PIN is provided at step 130, the system unlocks the selectedprogram if it was locked and records the selected program at thescheduled broadcast time at step 134.

The approaches of FIGS. 7a, 7b, 7c allow the system to handle therecording of parentally-locked programs without requiring the user toenter a parental control PIN at a time when the user might not bepresent.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to recording payprograms. Previously known systems allowed programs to be selected forrecording without checking to see if such programs were pay programs. Ifthe user of such a system failed to purchase the program prior torecording, the program would not be descrambled during recording.

As shown in FIG. 8, the system of the present invention allows a user toselect a program for recording from the program guide at step 136. Atstep 138, the system determines whether the selected program is a payprogram. Program guide data identifying certain program listings as payprograms is provided to set-top box 34 with the other program guide datasupplied by database 24 of main facility 22.

If the system determines at step 138 that the selected program is not apay program, the system records the selected program at the scheduledbroadcast time at step 140. If the system determines that the selectedprogram is a pay program, the system either confirms that the user hasalready purchased the selected program or allows the user to purchasethe program at step 142. The user may purchase the program by enteringan appropriate predefined personal identification number or using someother suitable technique (e.g. entering “ok” following display of amessage asking the user to confirm a purchase). At the appropriate time,set-top box 34 descrambles the desired pay program. If the userindicates a desire not to purchase the program at step 142, therecording of the selected program is cancelled at step 144. If theprogram is purchased, the system descrambles and records the selectedprogram at the scheduled broadcast time at step 146.

Another aspect of the present invention relates to recordingcopy-protected programs. Previously known systems have allowed users toselect copy-protected programs for recording without warning the usersthat the selected programs were copy protected and therefore not usableif recorded.

As shown in FIG. 9, the system of the present invention allows the userto select a program for recording from the program guide at step 148. Atstep 150, the system determines whether the selected program is copyprotected. Program guide data identifying certain program listings ascopy protected is provided to set-top box 34 with the other programguide data supplied by database 24 of main facility 22. If the systemdetermines at step 150 that the selected program is not copy protected,the selected program is recorded at the scheduled broadcast time at step152. If the system determines that the program selected for recording iscopy protected, the system displays a message at step 154 informing theuser that the selected program may not be recorded.

Another aspect of the invention relates to recording pay programs thatare offered at different prices depending on whether the program is copyprotected or not. As shown in FIG. 10, at step 156 the system allows theuser to select a pay program for viewing only or for recording (andviewing if desired).

If the user opts to record the selected program, the system allows theuser to purchase the program at the appropriate price for recording theprogram without copy protection at step 158. If the user declines topurchase the program during step 158, recording is cancelled. If,however, the user confirms the purchase of the selected program, theorder is processed by transmitting the order to television distributionfacility 26. At step 160, the system provides the selected programwithout copy protection and records the selected program.

If at step 156 the user opts to view the program but not to record theprogram, the system allows the user to purchase the program at acopy-protected price (typically less than the price without copyprotection) at step 162. The system also informs the user at step 162that the program may not be recorded. At step 164, the system providesthe program to the user for viewing with copy protection.

If desired, combinations of these various program guide features may beprovided. For example, parentally-recorded programs may be recorded oncombinations TV/VCR units, pay programs may be recorded back-to-backwith other programs, copy-protected programs that are parentallycontrolled may be recorded, etc.

The foregoing is merely illustrative of the principles of this inventionand various modifications can be made by those skilled in the artwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for accessing media assets using a mediaguidance application at user equipment, comprising: receiving a userrequest to record a media asset at the user equipment; determining, withcontrol circuitry, whether the media asset has been locked by a parentalcontrol setting; and in response to determining that the media asset hasbeen locked, and without receiving any further user input associatedwith the parental control setting, using the control circuitry,initiating recording of the locked media asset at the user equipmentwhile preventing display of the locked media asset on a display screenat the user equipment.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein receiving theuser request to record the media asset comprises receiving a userselection of a listing associated with the media asset, wherein thelisting is generated for display by the media guidance application. 3.The method of claim 1, wherein determining whether the media asset hasbeen locked by a parental control setting further comprises the controlcircuitry determining whether a parental control pin is required toaccess the media asset.
 4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:displaying, before the determining, a prompt on the display screen toenter a parental control pin to lock the media asset; and locking, usingthe control circuitry, the media asset after the parental control pinhas been entered.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the user request isa first user request, wherein the parental control pin is a firstparental control pin, and wherein the media asset is a first mediaasset, and further comprising: receiving a second user request to recorda second media asset at the user equipment; determining, with thecontrol circuitry, whether the second media asset has been locked by asecond parental control pin; automatically displaying a prompt on thedisplay screen requesting the user to enter the second parental controlpin prior to a scheduled broadcast of the second media asset; receivingthe entry of the second parental control pin at the user equipment; andthe control circuitry unlocking the second media asset in response tocorrect entry of the second parental control pin.
 6. The method of claim5 further comprising: enabling display of the second media asset on thedisplay screen in response to unlocking the second media asset.
 7. Themethod of claim 4, wherein the prompt is displayed in response toreceiving the user request to record the media asset.
 8. The method ofclaim 1 further comprising: displaying a prompt on the display screen toenter a parental control pin to unlock the media asset; the controlcircuitry continuing recording of the media asset while preventingdisplay of the media asset on the display screen when an invalidparental control pin is received; and the control circuitry continuingrecording of the media asset while enabling display of the media asseton the display screen when a valid parental control pin is received. 9.The method of claim 1, wherein initiating recording without receivingany further user input further comprises automatically initiatingrecording of the locked media asset without receiving a parental controlpin.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein the media asset is a first mediaasset, and further comprising: receiving a user input purchasing asecond media asset; determining, with the control circuitry, whether thesecond media asset has been locked by the parental control setting; andin response to determining that the second media asset has been lockedand receiving the user input purchasing the second media asset, storingthe locked second media asset.
 11. A system for accessing media assetsusing a media guidance application, the system comprising: a displayscreen; and control circuitry configured to: receive a user request torecord a media asset; whether the media asset has been locked by aparental control setting; and in response to determining that the mediaasset has been locked, and without receiving any further user inputassociated with the parental control setting, initiate recording of thelocked media asset at the user equipment while preventing display of thelocked media asset on the display screen.
 12. The system of claim 11,wherein the control circuitry configured to receive the user request torecord the media asset is further configured to receive a user selectionof a listing associated with the media asset, wherein the listing isgenerated for display by the media guidance application.
 13. The systemof claim 11, wherein the control circuitry configured to determinewhether the media asset has been locked by a parental control setting isfurther configured to determine whether a parental control pin isrequired to access the media asset.
 14. The system of claim 11, whereinthe control circuitry is further configured to: display, before thedetermining, a prompt on the display screen to enter a parental controlpin to lock the media asset; and lock the media asset after the parentalcontrol pin has been entered.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein theprompt is displayed in response to receiving the user request to recordthe media asset.
 16. The system of claim 14, wherein the user request isa first user request, wherein the parental control pin is a firstparental control pin, wherein the media asset is a first media asset,and wherein the control circuitry is further configured to: receive asecond user request to record a second media asset at the userequipment; determine whether the second media asset has been locked by asecond parental control pin; automatically display a prompt on thedisplay screen requesting the user to enter the second parental controlpin prior to a scheduled broadcast of the second media asset; receivethe entry of the second parental control pin; and unlock the secondmedia asset in response to correct entry of the second parental controlpin.
 17. The system of claim 16, wherein the control circuitry isfurther configured to: enable display of the second media asset on thedisplay screen in response to unlocking the second media asset.
 18. Thesystem of claim 11, wherein the control circuitry is further configuredto: display a prompt on the display screen to enter a parental controlpin to unlock the media asset; continue recording of the media assetwhile preventing display of the media asset on the display screen whenan invalid parental control pin is received; and continue recording ofthe media asset while enabling display of the media asset on the displayscreen when a valid parental control pin is received.
 19. The system ofclaim 11, wherein the control circuitry configured to initiate recordingwithout receiving any further user input is further configured toautomatically initiate recording of the locked media asset withoutreceiving a parental control pin.
 20. The system of claim 11, whereinthe media asset is a first media asset, and wherein the controlcircuitry is further configured to: receive a user input purchasing asecond media asset; determine, with the control circuitry, whether thesecond media asset has been locked by the parental control setting; andin response to determining that the second media asset has been lockedand receiving the user input purchasing the second media asset, storethe locked second media asset.